Unknown to many there is this small group of journalists, reporters, writers, authors, publishers, and persons of allied occupation serving the Philippine community in Sydney, NSW meeting regularly as people of similar interests.

The group is moderated by veteran Sydney journalist Mr. Jaime ‘Jimmy’ Pimentel who firmly believes that an informally organised group that meets at least once a month but communicates even more regularly by internet can do more than the traditional associations that meet rarely throughout the year.

The group first started as a sounding board for members. For a few years they met at ‘kapihan’ at various restaurants in Western Sydney. The group met in newly opened Filipino-owned restaurants such as the defunct ‘Bahay Kubo’ in Lidcombe, the Pinoy Sentral in Granville, and quite recently whilst it was actively operating the Corregidor restaurant in Rooty Hill.

At time, the group would treat themselves on such venues as the City Extra in Parramatta, Dooley’s in Lidcombe, City Extra Circular quay, Burwood RSL, or Rooty Hill RSL. In few occasions, some would question the informal arrangement and call for formal organisation, but the group always falls back to the fluid type of congregation as espoused by Mr Pimentel.

The downside happened one time when nobody turned up, and cool Mr. Pimentel would merely ask, “Did I really say Rooty Hill RSL?” after receiving one member calling from Blacktown RSL. In another case, Mr. Pimentel’s gentle rebuke was, “Did I say Sunday or Saturday”?

Nonetheless, the record speaks for itself: kapihan meetings on libel laws and the press, community press in Australia, editorial cartooning, news and feature writing, internet and the “new media”, and press briefing conference on the MPC community building in Rooty Hill, reception to visiting NGO workers from the Philippines, and meeting with Sydney Philippine Consulate General. For a time, FilpressSyd established a “press room” HQ at a restaurant in Rooty Hill.

What strengthened the bond among the group was regular communication through an email group.

Mr. Pimentel also took aboard Filpressyd up and coming journalists, community PROs, and media presentors especially the younger ones. They were involved in Pimentel’s two personal projects called the Filpresssyd web site and the Radio Sandigan community radio. For a time, Mr. Pimentel brought the idea of starting a community newspaper but concentrated instead on the regular weekly community radio program.

Recently, Filpresssyd initiated a fund appeal to help beneficiaries of media people killed in the Maguindanao massacre in the Philippines and was about to collect and send to the National Press Club of the Philippines Aus$3,880.00.

Whilst remaining “fluid and informal”, Filpresssyd could count on the following as its members, among others: Jaime Pimentel (Fairfax Community Press and community Radio Sandigan), Ronald Manila (SBS Filipino Radio), Romy Cayabyab (Emanila group of websites), Violi Calvert (Australian Handball Association), Dino Crescini (Philippine Sentinel), Titus Filio (Newspinoy), Neria Soliman (Hot Mamas association), Edd Aragon, Menchie Maneze, Michelle Baltazar, Ania Aquino, Mitchell Badelles, Richard Ford, Tom Baena and this writer.